Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-07
Tales aud 9ketfhes.
A SENTIMENTAL SOLICITOR.
CONTINUED from Yesterday

dreamed that you were so clever and am
bilious and that And I-well. I'm not.
I'm Just very common and stupid and like
other people," she said. with comical
little gesture of self contempt. And
like people that are stupid. There are SO
MANY of the others-the men who are
painters and things like that-that have
known; and they we're always 500 in
tense and so full of what they had done
and what they were going to do; and
they cared 80 little about the foolish things
that like-dancing and stating and fun.
They did not seem to have any fun in
them at ALL"
land if | had never said anything
about my ambitions at all, about the
hopes that was fool enough to think
would ennoble me in your sight, you may
have liked me we'll enough"
"Well. you know. | do like you.
But"
"Then." said he eagerly. lit is not my
self that yon dislike, but my plans.
will sacrifice them. would give up my
life tor you. Why should not give up
even the dearest prospect OF my life?
Will you"
81 am sorry" she said again. But it
is impossible You might change your
life tor my sake if I were vain enough to
exact such sacrifice, but you could not
change your nature. You would be sorry
aiterward, and would come in time 10
hate me for having spoiled your lite. Do
not deny it'-seeing him about to speak.
II know you are too generous to think it
possible. | am sure you would be too
generous ever to let me know If it should
come to pass But you could not help it,
You could not help seeing-when you had
found out what goodfor- nothing. BRAIN
less little fribble am-what a mistake it
was to throw away your noble future in a
passing fancy for foolish little girl with
red hair and, perhaps, pretty face.
Forgive me if have misled you in any
way, bnt it is impossible to do what you
ask!-Qute IMPOSSIBLE
She held out her hand. looking up to
him penitentlv. He took it and held it for
a moment, then raised it to his lips and
kissed the small fingers.
There is nothing to forgive" he said.
81 have been an IDIOT"
, They rose up and went out of the place
in silence, mingling with the throng Of
dancers that came from the ballroom. The
valse was over.
Two or three hours later Bill Ratter
came up to the poet, who was seated on
the stairs gravely discussing American
literature with New York pressman
thinking of going, John?" he said.
"Yes, I'm ready" said John Anthony.
"Have you had enough dancing?"
Lots. Let's get along"
They went down and got a hanson. 1t
was half an hours drive 10 the street in
which they both lived, within few doors
of each other, and after ten minutes
silence Bill Rafter began to notice the I'M
usual taciturnity of his friend.
Tired. old man ?" he said.
Eyes"
Enjoy YOURSELF"
mot much"
Really? saw you having a good
long talk With little Miss Norbury. You
seemed to be getting along first class"
Ibid we?"
"I'd say. after all, that hair of hers is
red said Bill quietly. Tits was intended
to rouse the poet to little indignation and
get him out of the dumps. But he made
no reply.
II was introduced to her, too" he went
on, after while. 1--WE made great
friends"
"Did youp" said John lAnthony. with
more animation than he had shown be-
fore.
80, yes. She's very jolly little girl.
That's more disrespect, Johnny, but |
didn't mean it,"
Don't mind. My feelings aren't
wounded"
"Well, we talked about old times.
reminded her OF Brompton and of that
SNOWFALL. and the time she used to 90 to
school in short frocks. and the fat little
legs she had, and how she always had
holes in her stockings, and whole lot of
things Halo! quite forgot you and
the way you were talking OF her before
we went. beg your pardon, really"
He had noticed John Anthony move I'M
easily in his seat as he ran on and feared
he might have offended him.
"Well," said the poet, "I'd rather YOU
wouldn't talk of her in that way, at least
not just yet. But have no right to object
and never shall have" Bill looked al
him inquiringlv. 81 made fool of nv.
sui, DIN, lhhl all. hSheu neT 10 marry
me-"
"Dd YOU Pr
Yes, she wouldn't. was mistaken
about the girl altogether, Bill. She's not
| believe, a bit poetical or sentimental OF
anything like that, at all. In fact, she
told me as much. So that story is ovel
as far as | am concerned"
Quite over. is it p said Bill
Quite" said the poet.
Bill said no more then, but as they
parted, outside his door, his handshakt
was longer and warmer than usual. ant
he muttered indistinctly, in the shame
faced way in which man offers sympathy
"Fm sorry, old man."
1t was on night early in January thai
that this little drama was enacted. Some
three weeks afterward there ensued 8
period of heavy frost, during which skat
ing was universal. and Miss Norbury anc
Mr.. William Rafter, both experts on the
ice, came to see good deal of each other
There was already friendship between
them, in virtue of old acquaintance by
sight, ard it grew closer in those days
when they flew over the ice together
looking not unlike great placid ship ant
fnssy little steam tug. She found {
strange enjoyment in teasing this big
good humored young man. who received
her most impertinent salles with calm
smile.
They were walking home one evening
from, tho R.,upA pord R;ll oorrr,,x l. n,